Slide closure



July 22, 1941. FARNEY 2,250,059

SLIDE CLOSURE Filed Sept. l8, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet l fnveni or;

July 22, 1941. D. FARNEY 2,250,059

SLIDE CLOSURE Filed Sept. 18, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 gorge [fa/en fork July 22, 1941.,

1.. D. FARN EY 2,250,059

SLIDE CLOSURE Filed Sept. 18, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 f; 760 am? Patented July 22, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SLIDE CLOSURE Leo D. Farney, Chicago, Ill.

Application September 18, 1939, Serial No. 295,478

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to slide closures in compartment partitions, and particularly to electrically operated closures. Specifically it has especial adaptation to confessionals which comprise a confessors compartment and one or two penitents compartments. When a penitent enters the confessional it is very desirable to have his compartment closed off from the confessors compartment until the confessor is ready to hear him, for his own convenience, and also, when the confessor is conversing with another penitent in the other side of the confessional it is necessary that communication with the first penitent be closed oif.

An object of the invention is to secure privacy to the occupants when the closure is closed, and to provide sure communication when the closure is opened.

The closure is composed of two members, one fixed and the other movable; each is provided with small openings therein, so arranged that the openings in themovable member will register with those in the fixed member upon operation of the former, and are of such size and position that the largest possible total opening can be obtained while completely closing off all openings when the closure is closed. One of the desirable features therefore is the fact that a very small movement of the movable member is necessary to open the closure. This results in a grill work with sufficient opening to afford communication, since it is undesirable to have a complete opening; and when the closure is closed all openings in the'members are closed off, which with the fact that the members are made of soundproof material insures complete privacy.

Another object is to provide lighting means in the penitents compartment to enable the penitent to enter and leave the compartment at ease. Since it is desirable to have the confessional dark while the penitent and the confessor are conversing, means must be provided to operate the lighting means conveniently. My invention provides means for lighting the penitents compartment when he is entering and leaving, and for turning oil the light during the remaining time with no extra movements or operations on the part of either occupant. I provide switching means arranged so that when the closure is opened the light is turned off, thus leaving it dark when the confessor and the penitent are conversing, and when the closure is closed the light is turned on in the same operation, thus enabling the penitent to leave without stumbling.

Other objects and advantages of the invention, including combination, arrangement and function of parts, and details of construction, will be apparent as the description of the invention proceeds, which should be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective View of a confessional showing the interior of the confessors compartment andone penitents compartment and exposing to view the position of my new slide closure;

Figure 2 is 'a view of the slide closure itself from the penitents side;

Figure 3 is a view of the slide closure inclosed position viewed from the confesso-rs side;

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on the line it-4 of Fig. 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4, but with theslide in open position;

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken on the line 66 of Fig.5;

Figure "7 is a diagram showing the circuit arrangement for operating the slide closure and lighting means;

Figure 8 is a front view of a switching means positioned in the seat in the confessors compartment, forming a modification of my invention;

Figure 9 is a section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8 lookingin the direction of the arrows;

Figure 10 is amodified circuit arrangement to be used in connection with the modification of Figs. 8 and '9;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the connecting link between the movable slide member and the operating means for sliding the member, and

Figure 12 is a sectional view of a modification of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, in Fig. 1 which shows the confessional :as a whole, ill and I2 designate the penitents compartments, and t3 the confessorfs compartment, with intervening partitions 1 i and i2". This view shows to good .advantage the general construction .of the confessional, with the confessorscompartment, and a fessors compartment will be seen a seat l9 and an arm rest 29.

It is to be understood that penitents compartment i2 is similarly provided with a kneeler, arm rest, and light as is compartment I l, although it is not shown since the arrangement of fixtures is obvious. Also it is quite obvious that the slide closure in each partition extends through the partition and can be seen from either side of the partition. Thus closure l4 seen in compartment H can also be seen in compartment l3 on the side of the partition away from the observer.

Fi ure 2 is an enlarged view of the slide closure as viewed from the penitents side and showing to better advantage the details of construction. Facing the penitent is the stationary member of the closure. This member is provided with holes 22 which register with corresponding holes in the movable member as will be more apparent as the description proceeds. At each side and at the bottom of the closure are strips 23, which, with strips 3i on the opposite side of the closure, form a retainer for the stationary member and a channel in which the movable member slides. At the top is a cover plate 24 which also serves as a retainer for the stationary member 2| and is of suflicient height to conceal certain elements of construction which will be described later. It is readily apparent that the whole structure is mounted in the partition I 1. Below the structure is an arm rest i1 mounted on the partition by means of brackets 25.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but from the confessors side. Certain outer trimmings are omitted from this figure to show the inner construction, but they may be easily supplied from Figs. l, and 6. On this side are mounted strips 23, (see Figs. 4, 5 and 6), which are the counterpart of strips 23, and form a retainer for the stationary and movable members of the closure. Also on this side of the closure is a cover plate 24 identical with cover plate 24 and serving the same purpose. This view shows the cutout portion of the partition ll, shown generally as 28. Facing the observer from this side is a movable member 29 which is adapted to move vertically in the cut-out portion 28. The movable slide member 29 is of proper width to fit snugly in the cut-out portion 28 and yet loose enough to slide easily. On each lateral side of the opening 28, and on the same side of the closure, is a cleat 3| attached to the partition H by screws or otherwise as desired. Between these cleats and the stationary member 2| are formed channels in which the movable member of the closure is adapted to slide.

Fig. 4 should be considered in connection with Fig. 3 to show the relative position of parts. In considering this View the reason for the cleats 3| will be apparent: the stationary member of the closure is positioned near the edge of the partition nearest to the penitents side and the movable member 29 is positioned in the center of the partition. In this location the movable member may bear on one side against the stationary member, but since there is a considerable space between the movable member and strips 23' it becomes necessary to supply the cleats 3i to fill this space.

An electromagnet 33 is secured to the top of the opening 28 and operatively connected with the movable member 29 so as to operate the latter on energization of the electromagnet. The solenoid 34 of the electromagnet projects downwardly therefrom and is provided with threads on which is secured a fork 35. A bolt 31 projects through the fork 36 and through the movable member 29 of the closure and thus a connection is made between the electromagnet 33 and the movable closure member 29. At the top of the movable member 29 and on either side thereof is a plate 39 secured thereto by rivets 42 and through which the bolt 31 passes. This is to assure that the movable member will not be cut through as may be in the case when a single bolt is used without plates 39 and the movable member is made of soft material. It will thus be seen that with the movable closure member 29 positioned in the center of the partition directly below the electromagnet a direct pull is exerted on the movable member without distortion or binding.

As previously mentioned, the stationary member 2! is provided with holes 22 located at certain intervals; likewise, in the movable member 29 are holes 38 of the same size and located at the same intervals as holes 22. When the movable member 29 is in its lowered position as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the holes in the two closure members are in staggered relation with respect to one another and the closure is completely closed. This is accomplished by making the holes smaller than the distance between them. The two members, 2i and 29, are made of pressed fiber, wood, or any other material, including metal. A particular material may be used to secure sound-proof members, or a more durable material may be desired; but for whatever purpose, the material used is not of the essence of the invention and consequently I do not intend to be limited to any particular material.

It is contemplated within the scope of my invention to use as may be required or desired two or more electromagnets instead of only one, as it may in certain instances require more than one to supply the necessary lifting force without noise, overheating or vibration.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 and shows the movable member in its raised position with the holes in the two closure members in registry with one another. The holes are of such size and are so spaced that a maximum opening is accomplished with a minimum of movement of the movable member 29. The closure will be in open position only when the electromagnet is energized, and will automatically drop to closed position when the electromagnet is de-energized.

Attached to the bottom of the cut-out portion 28 are cushions 43, composed of rubber or other suitable cushioning material. These cushions prevent contact between the movable member 29 and the partition I I, and consequent noise, on release of the member 29. The cushions may be glued to the partition, or they may be recessed into the partition and then glued, as may be desired. In a like manner cushions 4| are secured to the upper extremity of the cut-out portion 28 so that on upward movement of the movable member 29 the contact is cushioned. As previously mentioned, the fork 36 is secured to the solenoid 34 by means of threads 35; by this feature accurate registry of the holes 38 in the movable member 29 with the holes 22 in stationary member 2| can be accomplished. On actuation of electromagnet 33 the movable member 29 is raised to its extreme upper position in contact with pads 4| and if the pads are not in accurate position so that the holes in the two members do not register, the fork 36 may be screwed up or down as the case may require, so that the holes will register.

Bel-cw the closure are two arm rests l1 and 20, for the convenience of the occupants, referred to in connection with Fig, 1, one secured to either side of partition H. These are secured in position by means of brackets 25 screwed to partition H '(or l2) and the arm rests, or otherwise secured as desired.

In Figure 'l I have shown the circuit arrangement for operation of the slide closure. The usual source of current as used in churches is supplied at it. At 45 is indicated generally a switch, having two contacts 46 and '47. When the switch is in the position shown in Fig. 7, with contact 45 closed, current is supplied through wire lBQthrough the switch and contact 45, through wire 49 and the solenoid 33, and returning through wire 50, thus completing the circuit. When the switch is in the other position, i. e., with contact 41 closed, current passes through wire 48, through switch 45 and contact 41, wire 5! and the light 13, and returning through wire 59, thus completing the circuit. This accomplishes the object stated above, that when the penitent enters the confessional the closure is closed and the light I8 is lighted, i. 6., with contact t1 closed. When the confessor is ready to hear him he throws the switch 15 opening contact 41 and closing contact 26, thus switching off the light and operating solenoid 33 and thereby opening the closure. The application of this circuit to the structure is shown in Fig. 3.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have shown a modified switching arrangement. When the confessional is not in use at all obviously all lights might well be out, and the solenoids operating the closures not in operation. To accomplish this result I have provided the switching arrangement shown in this modification, which can be fitted into the circuit shown in Fig. 7 in the circuit of that figure either the solenoid or the light will be in operation until a positive act is made to switch off the whole circuit. The circuit including the present modification is shown in Fig. 1G. The seat in the confessors compartment is shown at 55, and hinged to the back wall of the compartment by hinges 56.

trips 5'! are secured to the partitions II and 12 to support the seat 55 when it is occupied. Springs 58 are recessed into the strips 51 and serve to raise the seat from its lowered position when it is unoccupied. Contacts 59 are provided, one on the seat 55, and the other recesseed into the strip 51, the lower one being biased upwardly by spring 56 to secure firm contact and yet allow the seat to rest solidly on the strips 51. Attached to the front of the seat 55 is a cover plate 6| to conceal the strips 5?. This switching arrangement is inserted at $2 in the circuit shown in Fig. 10, which is otherwise identical with the circuit of Fig. '7. This arrangement allows automatic operation of the circuit, and insures that the circuit is not in operation when the confessional is not occupied, because when the confessor arises from his seat the lights are extinguished if any are burning, and will tie-energize the sole noids if they are left in operation, but it is not likely that they will be left in operation because when the penitents compartments are unoccupied the closures will be closed.

Also in this embodiment may be included additional switching means 65 which may be connected with a light 61 placed on the outside of the confessional over the oonfessors compartment. This is simply to indicate whether or not the confessor is in the confessional.

Figure 11 shows the fork 36 and in this view can be seen resilient contact means 1| interposed between the slidable member 29 and the electromagnet 33. Vulcanized rubber or other similar resilient material is inserted in the opening in the member 36 to prevent vibration of the solenoid from being transmitted to the slidable member 29 when the electromagnet is in operative position.

In Fig. 1 2 I have shown a modified form of closure with mechanical operating means. I have shown the usual stationary member 21 and slidable member 29, positioned in the partition II and held in place by strips 23 and 23', and cleats 3!. Near the lower part of the strip 23 on the confessors side is a boss 15 projecting outwardly from strip 23. A lever 16 is pivoted at 17 and the inner end is secured to movable member 29. A spring 19 is attached to the inner end of the lever at ill and at a point near the outer edge of the boss 15 at 82. Thus a toggle arrangement is secured by means of the spring since a line drawn from at to 82 will fall either below or above the pivot point 11 and maintain the lever in whatever position it is placed. The member 29 is raised by pressing down on lever 16 and when it is in position the spring 19 will keep it there; the same is true when the member is in its lower position.

I do not intend to be limited to the specific details herein shown and described, but contemplate to include within the scope of the invention all substitution of equivalents and changes in details of construction and arrangements of parts to fit particular conditions.

What I claim therefore and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a slide closure of the class described, a frame, a stationary member with openings therein mounted in the frame, a movable member with openings therein mounted in the frame in sliding engagement with said stationary member and adapted to be raised and lowered, the openings in the movable member being out of registry with the openings in the stationary member when the former is in its lowered position and in registry therewith when the former is in its raised position, spacing means in said frame engaging said movable member on the side opposite said stationary member, said stationary member and said spacing means positioning said movable member in the vertical medial plane of said frame, and means mounted on said frame above and connected to said movable member and in the plane thereof for raising said movable member.

2. In a slide closure of the class described, a frame, a stationary member with openings therein mounted in the frame, a movable member with openings therein mounted in the frame in sliding engagement with said stationary member and adapted to be raised and lowered, the openings in the movable member being out of registry with the openings in the stationary member when the former is in its lowered position and in registry therewith when the former is in its raised position, spacing means in said frame engaging said movable member on the side opposite said stationary member, said stationary member and said spacing means positioning said movable member in the vertical medial plane of said frame, means mounted on said frame above and connected to said movable member and in the plane thereof for raising said movable member, and cushioning means at the upper and lower extremities of the range of movement of the movable member.

3. In a slide closure of the class described, a frame, a stationary member with openings therein mounted in said frame, a movable member with openings therein mounted in said frame and adapted to be raised and lowered, said openings in the movable member being out of registry with said openings in the stationary memher when the former is in its lowered position and in registry therewith when the former is in its raised position, electromagnetic means mounted on the frame and connected to said movable member for raising said movable member, cushioning means acting between said electromagnetic means and said movable member for eliminating the transmission of vibrations from said electromagnetic means to said movable member, and cushioning means positioned in the path of movement of said movable member for limiting the upward movement of sai movable member. s

4. In a slide closure of the class described, a frame, a stationary member with openings therein mounted in the frame, a movable member with openings therein mounted in the frame in sliding engagement with said stationary memher and adapted to be raised and lowered, the openings in the movable member being out of registry with the openings in the stationary memher when the former is in its lowered position and in registry therewith when the former is in its raised position, electromagnetic means mounted on the frame and connected to said movable member for raising the movable member and for retaining it in raised position, cushioning means acting between said electromagnetic means and said movable member for eliminating the transmission of vibration from said electromagnetic means to said movable member, second cushioning means at the upper extremity of the range of movement of said movable memher, and adjustable connection between said electromagnetic means and said movable member so that the openings in said stationary member and said movable member are in registry when said movable member is in its raised position.

LEO D. FARNEY. 

